Chapter 26: I’ll come to take you home, my resonant sorrow.

Seriu had fled across countless miles, accumulating injuries both large and small along the way. After entering the Faerie Forest, every step had become even more difficult. Now, affected by the forest mist, he had no choice but to stop and rest.

He was utterly exhausted—thirsty, hungry, and weary, sustained only by sheer willpower. Once he sat down, his body protested violently. He wanted to keep watch in case nocturnal magical beasts attacked, but his eyelids were too heavy to hold open and slowly closed against his will.

He told himself he would only doze for a moment and wake up immediately afterward.

The instant his mind relaxed, he lost consciousness.

It felt as though a long time had passed, yet also only an instant. He suddenly jolted awake, gripped by inexplicable dread, and instinctively looked toward his magic instructor beside him.

It was too dark to see Halis’s face.

After a moment’s hesitation, Seriu recited an incantation and drew upon what little magic he had left. He waited for quite some time before a tiny flame finally condensed in midair. By its faint light, he carefully examined the man beside him.

The emaciated magic instructor leaned quietly against the tree trunk. His magic robe was torn and stained with blood, while the hair he normally kept impeccably neat now hung loose and disheveled. His once-handsome face was terribly haggard. His eyes were sunken, his cheekbones prominent, and his chin covered in stubble. His cheeks were deathly pale, utterly devoid of color.

Seriu gritted his teeth, his heart aching.

Had Halis not protected him, he would never have become a wanted fugitive, much less ended up in such a miserable state with his life hanging by a thread.

Seriu had dragged Halis into this.

He removed his own somewhat tattered cloak and draped it over his magic instructor.

Suddenly, his movements stopped.

He stared blankly at the man’s chest.

There was no movement at all.

Seriu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Trembling, he extended a finger beneath Halis’s nose.

There was no breath.

Halis... was dead?

The flame suspended in midair abruptly went out. Endless grief surged through Seriu’s chest. No longer caring whether he attracted magical beasts, he burst into anguished sobs.

“Halis—Halis—don’t die—”

The fourteen-year-old prince threw himself into his magic instructor’s arms in panic. His thin shoulders shook violently as all the negative emotions he had suppressed for more than a year erupted at once.

More than twenty meters above them, inside the bird’s nest, Shu Li was held beneath the plump bird’s wing. Listening to the boy’s heart-rending cries, he frowned slightly.

Only the death of someone dear could provoke such devastating grief. The sound alone was enough to break one’s heart.

Shu Li scratched his ear and tried to peer down at what was happening beneath the tree, but the plump bird stopped him. Left with no choice, he lay in the nest and listened as the boy’s cries grew more anguished with every breath.

Back in the Fairy Nursery, he had once heard Siet mention that mist surrounded the forest’s outer reaches. Outsiders who inhaled it often fell into illusions that magnified the evil within their hearts. Those who failed the Trial usually lost their minds, slaughtered one another, and died violently.

Shu Li wanted to look because he was curious which race the intruders beneath the tree belonged to and why they had dared enter the Faerie Forest despite knowing the danger.

From the way the boy was now crying in utter despair, it was obvious that something had happened to a relative or friend traveling with him.

Moreover, the crying voice was in the middle of changing, so the boy could not be very old. Faced with the sudden death of someone close to him, he must have completely lost his bearings.

“I... I’ll only look once,” Shu Li whispered to the plump bird.

“Coo!” The plump bird pulled him even more tightly beneath its wing.

Not even once.

Any outsider who entered the forest was no good. Humans in particular usually came with the intention of capturing Little Fairies.

The plump bird had lived in the forest for hundreds of years and encountered all kinds of outsiders. It knew their methods very well.

The Fairy cub staying in its nest was clearly alone, without an adult Fairy to protect him. He was practically a hunter’s ideal target.

Since he had borrowed its nest and gifted it delicious fruit, the bird had a duty to keep him safe.

The plump bird absolutely refused to let the Fairy cub fall prey to humans because of excessive curiosity.

Humans were the most treacherous and cunning creatures of all. They often used despicable methods to deceive other innocent and kindhearted races.

For example, some simple-minded, high-ranking magical beasts had been thoroughly fooled by humans and willingly entered master-servant contracts. They lost their freedom and remained enslaved until death.

The plump bird did not even need to look to know that the one weeping beneath the tree was human.

And humans had to be guarded against.

Shu Li was deeply grateful for the plump bird’s protection.

In truth, he understood very well that he was no longer human. He was merely a frail Fairy cub with no means of defending himself. Rashly approaching unknown intruders would be extremely dangerous.

He covered his ears, curled beneath the plump bird’s wing, and tried to urge himself back to sleep.

He still had to wake early and continue traveling tomorrow. He needed to preserve his strength.

As for the boy crying beneath the tree, Shu Li was sorry. He hoped the boy could accept his loss and leave the forest safely.

Shu Li sighed and closed his eyes beside the chicks.

He had to admit, those chicks slept incredibly well!

Even such deafening sobs had failed to wake them. Not one stirred; they all slept soundly through the commotion.

Shu Li, on the other hand, tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep no matter what he did.

Grief was contagious. The boy’s cries lingered endlessly in his ears, stirring emotions Shu Li had buried deep inside.

Shu Li was not naturally sentimental. He had grown up surrounded by affection and developed an optimistic, positive personality. Even when faced with sudden upheaval, he quickly adjusted his state of mind, comforted himself in his own peculiar way, and worked hard to adapt to his new surroundings.

Recently, he had devoted himself to studying Elven. His days had been busy and fulfilling, allowing him to almost ignore the unease and longing hidden in his heart.

But as he listened to the boy’s cries, he could not help thinking of his own family.

What had happened to his original body after he transmigrated?

Could a body without a soul remain alive?

When his family learned that something had happened to him, would they be as devastated as the boy beneath the tree?

Would he ever have a chance to return?

How long would it take?

When he returned, would his family still be alive?

Was he truly a chosen hero destined to save this other world?

What would happen if he failed?

...

One unanswerable question followed another. Grief welled up inside him. His eyes stung, and tears began flowing uncontrollably.

Feeling dampness beneath its wing, the plump bird lowered its head in confusion.

Was the little cub crying? Did he miss home?

Perhaps, if he asked, it could help carry him back to the divine tree.

Now that it was a mother, the plump bird could not help overflowing with maternal affection.

Seriu had no idea that a tiny Fairy cub more than twenty meters above him had been moved to tears by his grief.

He remained immersed in sorrow, weeping uncontrollably as regret consumed him.

Had he not stubbornly entered the Faerie Forest, would Halis still be alive?

Had he obediently surrendered and allowed the usurper to dispose of him, would so many people have been spared?

Now even Halis had left him. Alone in the world, what did he have left?

“Halis... sob... Halis... I’m sorry...”

He clutched his magic instructor’s lapels and apologized over and over.

“Cough... Your Highness... don’t cry... You’ll attract magical beasts...” A weak voice sounded.

Seriu abruptly stopped crying and raised his head in disbelief.

“Ha... Halis... you’re alive!” he exclaimed in delight, though tears continued pouring down his face.

Halis panted and laboriously lifted a hand to stroke the boy’s tear-streaked cheek. “I think... I saw the God of Death... but I couldn’t leave Your Highness behind, so I did not follow... him.”

Seriu knelt before him, laughing and crying at once. “Th-Thank you for coming back!”

Halis coughed several times, then said warily, “Your Highness, we must... move somewhere else.”

“Why?” Seriu asked in confusion.

Halis gripped the magic staff lying beside him and used it to support his weakened body as he stood. Staring into the dark, shadowy forest, he said gravely, “They... have caught up.”

“They?” Seriu froze, then clenched his teeth. Intense hatred flared in his eyes.

They had already fled into the Faerie Forest. Why did those cruel men still refuse to abandon the pursuit?

Seriu supported Halis, suppressed his hatred, and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a piercing whistle rang out. Terrifying pressure surged in from every direction, making their skin crawl.

They were surrounded!

Shu Li was still grieving when the boy’s sobbing abruptly stopped. A delighted cry followed, then one sentence after another in an unfamiliar language.

He wiped his face and poked his head out from beneath the plump bird’s wing in confusion.

What had happened?

Why had the boy suddenly become happy? Had the person with him not died after all?

That was wonderful.

Shu Li wiped away his tears and composed himself, feeling a little embarrassed.

He had better go back to sleep!

Shu Li rubbed against the soft, warm feathers of the bird’s belly, nestled beside the chicks, and peacefully closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the rapid thunder of hooves shattered the silent night.

Clop-clop—clop-clop—

A blaze of dazzling firelight appeared around the tree, illuminating the pitch-black forest.

Startled, Shu Li poked his head out from beneath the bird’s belly. He did not even need to look down to clearly see a line of knights clad in black armor. Each Black Knight held a torch in one hand and a longsword in the other as they aggressively surrounded the tree where he was hiding.

The plump bird quickly pushed the Fairy cub back into the nest.

This time, it did not dare make the slightest sound.

A dense and sinister aura of death spread arrogantly throughout the forest. Every magical beast and animal possessing intelligence instinctively fled.

The tree containing the plump bird’s nest stood at the very center of that deathly aura. With both its chicks and the Fairy cub inside, the bird could not move. Its only choice was to spread its wings and shield them.

Shu Li huddled beneath the plump bird’s belly with the awakened chicks, all of them trembling.

The terrifying aura of death seeped through every opening and penetrated deep into their bones, giving rise to fear and despair from the depths of their hearts.

Shu Li suddenly realized that this world was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Like Shu Li, Seriu trembled uncontrollably beneath the tree.

He knew this aura of death all too well. It had pursued him for an entire year, from east to west, never once relenting.

Those who had protected him had fallen one after another.

Now, at last, it was his turn.

“Halis... leave me behind...”

Too many people had already died for him. Today, he no longer wanted to run.

No matter how unwilling he was, there was nothing else he could do.

He drew the sword at his waist and pointed it toward the approaching Black Knights, ready to fight.

But Halis moved even faster.

His emaciated body stepped in front of Seriu. Raising his magic staff, he began reciting an incantation.

“Great Wind God Wendis Inor, grant me divine power. With your greatest strength, destroy these evil enemies who have come from hell—”

Several tornadoes appeared from thin air and charged ferociously toward the Black Knights. They devastated everything in their path. Shrubs and weeds were torn out by the roots, dragged into the eyes of the storms, and shredded to pieces in an instant.

Shu Li’s heart pounded with fear. The tornadoes attacked indiscriminately, whipping the branches back and forth. The nest built between them swayed precariously.

This was bad!

They had become the center of the battlefield.

The plump bird was not highly ranked and had no defensive barrier like the magical serpent. All it could do was spread its wings and desperately protect the nest and the cubs.

Shu Li was terrified, yet secretly grateful that he had chosen to stay in a bird’s nest.

Had he slept among the grass or inside a flower, the tornadoes would already have torn him to pieces.

Such terrifying, powerful magic!

This was not a drill. This was not a drill. This was not a drill!

This was a real battle with real weapons!

The kind where people died!

Yet something even more frightening followed.

The Black Knights surrounding them paid no attention to the tornadoes. Like puppets controlled by invisible strings, they raised their longswords in perfect unison and swung them down with tremendous force.

The sword energy surged forward unstoppably, slicing through every tornado with ease. Its tyrannical force did not weaken in the slightest as it viciously struck toward Halis and Seriu, inevitably sweeping across the tree behind them as well.

Crack! Crack—

Every branch and leaf touched by the sword energy snapped apart and came crashing down.

Although the nest remained safe for the moment, the falling branches and leaves struck around it, leaving it in imminent danger.

Shu Li’s fear transformed into anger.

They could fight each other all they wanted, but why did they have to harm innocent bystanders?

Did the lives of flowers, grass, and trees not matter?

Besides, countless little animals lived in this tree!

“Coo, coo—” The plump bird soothed the frightened chicks and Fairy cub.

Halis struggled to erect a defensive shield and blocked the first wave of sword energy.

Boom—

The sword energy shattered the shield. Halis immediately turned, pulled Seriu into his arms, and used his own body as a shield.

After several muffled groans, blood burst from his mouth. Countless wounds opened across his body, instantly turning him into a blood-soaked figure.

Seriu’s pupils contracted. Trembling, he whispered, “Enough, enough! Halis... stop protecting me!”

Unable to remain standing, Halis slowly collapsed. Blood poured from his mouth as he apologized. “I’m sorry... Your Highness... I may have to... go ahead of you...”

“Halis...” Seriu held him helplessly, tears streaming down his face as he watched his magic instructor’s head fall limp.

He raised his head and glared furiously at the approaching Black Knights. Releasing Halis, he lifted his sword and screamed hysterically.

“Aaaaaah—I’ll kill you all—”

Like a moth flying into a flame, the boy charged recklessly toward the Black Knights.

The leading Black Knight gave a cold sneer and raised his longsword. Under the firelight, its blade glowed dark red and radiated thick black energy.

When the Black Knight swung the sword down, the black energy tore away from the blade along with the sword energy and surged toward the charging boy.

Clinging tightly to the edge of the nest, Shu Li sucked in a sharp breath.

The boy flew backward like a kite with its string cut, trailing a long arc of blood from his chest. He slammed heavily into the trunk. The tree shook, and its branches and leaves swayed, causing the already tilted nest to lean even farther.

The boy fell facedown and stopped moving.

The leading Black Knight urged his heavily armored horse forward and approached the tree at an unhurried pace. He looked down contemptuously at the boy on the ground and lowered his longsword until its sharp tip pressed against the boy’s back.

With the slightest thrust, it would pierce his heart.

The Black Knight raised the sword high.

Just as he was about to stab downward, something struck his helmet with a dull thud.

He stopped in disbelief and lowered his head.

The concealed weapon that had attacked him was actually...

Half a fruit?

The Black Knight immediately looked up, his cold and venomous gaze sweeping across the high branches.

Shu Li withdrew his hands, which had instinctively reached out to save the falling fruit, his face filled with shock.

Oh no! Oh no! How could he be this unlucky?

The nest had tilted too far, and the half-eaten fruit the plump bird had pecked apart just happened to fall and strike the Black Knight below!

It had happened too suddenly for anyone to react!

Shu Li held his breath and shrank as far beneath the bird’s belly as possible, squeezing himself into a ball with the chicks.

The Black Knight caught a glimpse of fading luminescence. After scrutinizing the branch for a moment, he raised his sword again.

This time, his target was the branch above.

The aura of death surged wildly. The plump bird’s gaze became solemn. For the sake of the cubs, it prepared itself to fight the Black Knight to the death.

For the first time, Shu Li understood with brutal clarity just how close death was.

Even when the book struck him and sent him transmigrating into this other world, he had never truly experienced the terror of dying.

But now, with the knight clad entirely in black armor pointing a sword at him, cold spread through every part of his body. It felt as though even his soul had frozen, leaving him trembling in mortal fear.

Great gods, it did not matter which one of you heard him—please save him and the plump bird’s family!

Where was the forest mist?

Why were these Black Knights unaffected by it?

Perhaps his prayer was answered.

The mist scattered by the tornadoes gathered once more and enveloped the entire tree. Then it rapidly spread outward, reducing visibility to almost nothing.

Surrounded by the mist, the Black Knights waved their torches in an attempt to disperse it.

Yet the more they tried to drive it away, the thicker it became, seeping through the visors of their helmets.

After inhaling the mist, the Black Knights gradually lost their senses. Hallucinations appeared before their eyes. Countless innocent souls they had brutally slaughtered transformed into vengeful ghosts and swarmed toward them.

“Aaaaaah—”

Several Black Knights fell from their horses and rolled across the ground. Others swung their longswords wildly, hacking and slashing at everything around them.

The leading Black Knight was the only one who remained lucid. Hearing the other knights scream, he shouted, “Illusions! They are all illusions! This is nothing more than one of the Elven King’s pathetic tricks!”

“Is that so?”

A deep male voice suddenly sounded from within the mist.

The Black Knight commander’s body jolted. He stared forward in disbelief.

As though controlled by an unseen hand, the mist vanished as swiftly as it had arrived, disappearing without a trace.

At some point, the bright full moon had emerged from behind the dark clouds. Its light, even more brilliant than usual, poured into the forest like a spring and dyed the trees silver-white.

A young male Elf rode gracefully out from among the trees on the back of a pure-white unicorn.

He possessed the most dazzling golden hair in the world, the most beautiful features, and an aura purer than moonlight itself.

When those emerald-green eyes turned toward them, everything else in the world seemed to lose its brilliance.

He was...

The legendary Son of Light who had participated in the War of the Gods.

The Elven King who had sealed the Faerie Forest!

The Black Knight commander’s mind went blank.

A sudden chill touched his neck.

The next second, his helmeted head separated from his body and fell onto the grass with a bloody thud.

A mass of black energy burst from the bleeding stump of his neck and attempted to flee. Before it could escape, golden light flashed, reducing it to nothing.

Following the Black Knight commander’s death, the other Black Knights’ necks were severed one after another, their heads falling to the ground. Every mass of black energy that tried to escape was destroyed by the golden light.

Once the entire Black Knight order had been annihilated, the aura of death pervading the forest vanished like smoke.

Mounted on the unicorn, the Elven King approached the tree with its many broken branches.

He looked up toward the high boughs, extended a hand, and said gently, “Sperien, I’ve come to take you home.”